India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
